Charles H. Farwell, Jr., 93, a longtime Nashua Funeral Director, passed away peacefully, Thursday evening, March 19, 2020 at his home at Laurel Place in Hudson. Born in Nashua on August 5, 1926, he was the son of the late Charles H. and Genevieve (Charbonneau) Farwell.
A graduate of Nashua High School Class of 1945, Charlie played the Trumpet with the high school band. He furthered his education at the University of New Hampshire, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1949. He was also a graduate of New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Sciences, Embalming and Funeral Directing in Boston, Class of 1950. A second-generation funeral director, Charlie joined his father in the operation of the Farwell Funeral Service in the summer of 1949 and served as the executive director of funeral home for over 50 years.
Charlie was a longtime member and past president of the Nashua Exchange Club; served on the Board of the Nashua Children’s Association; and was a founding member of Home Health & Hospice Care. Fraternally, he was a member of Rising Sun Lodge #39 F & AM, all Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Nashua and the New Hampshire Consistory 32nd degree; and longtime member of Granite Lodge #1 Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
An active member of the First Baptist Church, Charlie served on the Board of Deacons, served on the 1980 church building committee, and was honored by the Men’s Fellowship as Man of the Year in 1981. Mr. Farwell held membership the National Funeral Directors Association and the New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association and was a trustee of Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashua for over 50 years.
On June 16, 1951, Charlie married his high school sweet heart and love of his life, Blanche A. “Bianca” Soucy. They enjoyed many winters at Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, playing cards, especially bridge and cribbage with their family and friends, attending theater productions, pops and band concerts and Nashua Senior trips. Charlie enjoyed watching his favorite Boston teams the Celtics, Bruins and Patriots and the New York Yankees.
Members of his family include his wife Bianca, with whom he shared over 68 years together; his four children, Kevin C. Farwell, Dana J. Farwell, Judith A. McDonald and her husband Richard, and Holly E. Kaminski and her husband Thomas; three grandchildren, Chad M. Kaminski, Taryn E. Kaminski and Emily C. McDonald; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Charlie was predeceased by his sister, Marjorie M. Crawford of Clarksville, MD and his half-sister, Mildred L. Farwell.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staffs of Laurel Place, The Inn at Fairview and Home Health & Hospice for their loving care and support.
Due to the Coronavirus and health concerns, a private funeral was held in the Farwell Funeral Home on Saturday for his immediate family. Interment took place in Edgewood Cemetery.
